Local Vacation Here on the North Shore

Local Vacation
Here On The North Shore!

I don’t need the AAA to tell me gas prices are going to keep people closer to home this year – the fact I am wondering exactly how many errands I can do on my bike is empirical proof enough. (I’m seriously wondering if I can learn how to balance one of those giant wicker baskets on my head while I fill it with my summer Dominick’s run – fresh, non-salmonella tomatoes and sugar-free Fudgesicles.)

If you’re having to scuttle plans to hit the road, but still need to “get away,” here’s a few ideas that’ll make you feel like you really did take a break:

Get Back To Nature

Want a camping or lake resort experience? Check out Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, just north of Waukegan.

This state park offers EVERYTHING – spectacular views of Lake Michigan (catch a sunrise!), full-service camping, and the state’s only resort on the Big Lake.

Campers can enjoy great hiking trails and scenic beaches – the park occupies 6.5 miles along the Lake, with more than 4,000 square acres at your disposal. Cycling, fishing, swimming, nature-loving – it’s all there!

And if using someone else’s hairdryer is your idea of “roughing it,” you should consider staying at the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center. Here you’ll find all the amenities of a big league resort without the drive to get there. There are 96 rooms, full-service restaurant, an Olympic-sized heated pool, video game room, health club and sauna.

What you need to know before you go:

Camping will cost you between $25 - $35 a night, depending on when you go. You must call for reservations.
There is a partial alcohol ban, with several campsites declared alcohol-free.
Dogs are allowed on the campground, but NOT the nature preserve or the beach.
To get there, take I-294 north to Rt 173 east (approx 8 miles) to Sheridan Road. Make a right on Sheridan Road to Wadsworth Road, make a left and you will be in the park.

Illinois Beach State Park
Lake Front
Zion
847.662.4811
1-866-ILBEACH (For resort reservations/information)

Still too far away? Grab your two-wheeler and hit the Skokie Lagoons/Cook County Forest Preserve North Branch Trail. You can find a detailed map by clicking here. There’s plenty of nature to enjoy along the trail, which travels through the Chicago Botanic Garden. Insider Tip: If your idea of getting way doesn’t involve buying a bomb pop from Mr. Ice Cream man, watch out for the crossing at Willow Rd. On the other hand, if it does, make sure you’ve got your cash handy for an ie cream break!

Or, if you want an outdoor history lesson, visit Fort Sheridan. It’s an afternoon-killer for kids, with the military history of the Fort (including a tank on a trail!) mixed in with a natural stone beach to do some serious rock-skipping on. Plus, you can check out a life-sized hawk’s nest and learn about one of the North Shore’s most beautiful predators. (We’re talking birds, not cougars.)

Go Nutz!

Looking for some crazy cornball action that you normally find in resort towns? Here’s a few ways to get a taste:

Great America

OK, so we’re talking about a day at the amusement park. But really, folks – what kid doesn’t enjoy at least one trip on the double-carousel? The Dark Knight, Great America’s newest thrill-you-til-you-puke coaster opens this season. And c’mon! How lucky are we to live close enough that we can go whenever we want, rather than make it a special occasion?

Daily tix at the park are $54.99, but if you go online, you can get them for about $40. Kids under 48 inches are $30, and kids 2 and under are free. Don’t forget at least $15 to park, either.

Six Flags Great America
542 N. Route 21
Gurnee

Park King Golf

You can check out our review and video here, but you get the idea, right? Crazy mini-golf action. With a height requirement, believe it or not!

Par King
21711 N Milwaukee Ave (across from the light at Aptakisic)
Vernon Hills
847.634.0333
M-Sat 10:30 – 10
Sun 11:30 – 9pm
www.par-king.com

Nickel City

Looking to kick back in a true-to-itself video arcade? Nickel City in Northbrook is the place to go. It’s cheap and full of video games, so keeping the kids entertained for at least an hour or two should be easy.

Nickel City
555 Waukegan Rd.
Northbrook
847.559.8727

North Shore Museum Action

Probably one of the best-known museums on the North Shore is Kohl Children’s Museum, in Glenview. This summer, it’s hosting an art exhibit: Chagall For Children. Located in The Glen Town Center, the museum is perfect for younger (read: under 10) kids, and is a big-time boredom buster. Time it right and you can drop the older kids off for a summer flick at the Kerasotes Glen 10 or a tee time at the Glenview National 9!

Kohl Children’s Museum
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview
847.832.6600

Lesser known, but definitely has the “I’m on vacation, let’s learn about where we are” vibe, is the Wilmette Historical Museum. It’s free to visit and is open Sunday through Thursday in the afternoons.

Wilmette Historical Museum
609 Ridge Rd.
847.853.7666

On the southern end of the North Shore, you’ll find the Skokie Heritage Museum, complete with old engine house and an 1847 log cabin. Kids’ll get a taste of what life was like here on the North Shore more than 10 years ago.

Skokie Heritage Museum
8031 Floral Ave.
Skokie
847.677.6772

Need a few more ideas?

NorthShoreInsider.com has your back – check out our beach and golf articles for some additional summer ideas, and check our blogs often to see what we’ve been up to!